Decisions, decisions

I love to break up large projects with small projects.  I need that instant gratification of a quick finish sometimes.

I've had some fabric lurking in my stash for a while, but didn't know what to do with it. I thought I'd have a go at making a bag. The colours are pretty loud, but I guess I'll never see another the same. The pattern was designed by Susan Brubaker Knapp.  My husband's comment was 'I guess I'll see you coming!'

 I have started to make a second bag, from the same pattern, using batiks this time.    This has prompted some thought about the choices I make when I FMQ.  OK...so we quilt for a practical reason - to hold the layers of fabric and batting together.  This can be as simple as straight lines or stitch in the ditch.  The purpose of FMQ, must, then, be to enhance the appearance of a quilt.  When I quilted the bag above, I followed the contours of the designs, so the quilting is very subtle.  I used pebbles along the sides and bottom of the bag.  I wanted to Australian fabrics to be the main event.

That brings me to my second bag.  I have just started quilting the panels.  The batik fabrics are quite 'busy'.  I thought about whether to use a brown or orange thread.  In the end I went for orange and used a simple, freeform design.  I don't know if the design would be called paisley, mussel shells or freeform feathers.  When I stood back and looked at the quilting, all I could seem to see was the quilting, with the fabric taking a back seat.  I feel disappointed about this, but this panel will just show a little at the top of the front of the bag, and at the back.

Quilted

Fabric unquilted

So, what have I learned...I should have gone for the brown thread!  I will need to think carefully about the thread and design I use for the front panels.  Hmmmm.

I am making good, if slow progress with my hand pieced Billings quilt.

Happy quilting! xx